Operation Knockdown
Operation Knockdown | |
---|---|
Short story by Craig A. Reed | |
Publication | |
Published in | Requiem for a Blue Star |
Pages | 4 |
Chronology | |
Era | Dark Age era |
"{{{startdate}}}" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation. Operation Knockdown is one of the two introductory short stories for the 2019 Worldwide Event, Requiem for a Blue Star, together with its companion story, Final Stop.
Contents
Plot summary[edit]
The La Grande Armée mercenary unit has been hired to safeguard the retrieval of an estimated six regiments of vintage Star League era BattleMechs from the dead colony site on Buffalo Meadows. On 14 March 3150, unknown forces (Bartlett's Boxers) approach and deploy. The mercenary units probe each other, with the Grande Armée stalling for time as they hope to reactivate as many salvaged SLDF 'Mechs as possible before facing off against the intruders. On 18 March, the two forces finally engage each other as the Boxers attempt to force a river crossing and establish a bridgehead.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Lt. Bandi
- Cassandra Bartlett
- Nicholas Davout
- Steven DeFang
- Foster
- Dr. Franks
- Golden
- Dennise Hague
- Sun Hayakawa
- Johnston
- Marie Kayne
- Mel Niles
- Yancy Orleans
- Tony Winters
- Dr. Yannerman
Featured BattleTech[edit]
BattleMechs[edit]
DropShips[edit]
- Overlord-class Bitter Pill
- Austerlitz (class not specified)
Notes[edit]
- It is noted elsewhere in the scenario pack that the actual mission of La Grande Armée was to find Buffalo Meadows, reconnoiter the SLDF site, and report back; they did not have enough room to bring back even one of the six regiments of pristine Star League era 'Mechs that they found.
- The location of Buffalo Meadows is not specified, beyond that it is a habitable world around a dim red star in the notoriously empty Draconian Drift area. Bartlett's Boxers traveled there via a system identified only as 1245K3.
- According to the outcome tally of the Worldwide Event, the Boxers were successful in the river crossing battle (scenario "Finders Keepers"), but were ultimately unsuccessful in their attempt on 22 March to destroy La Grande Armée and the entry to the Star League depot (scenario "...it simply means the river bends").